Frosted and Mubtaahij Make Their Appearance at the Dubai World Cup Carnival
The Meydan Racecourse has been home to several renowned horse racing events throughout the years, and this year Emirates Airlines has sponsored the Dubai World Cup Carnival where the world’s best horses and trainers have gathered to compete. These races have grown quite popular among the residents of the city; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has participated and won several of these races one of which the 2.6 million dollar Dubai endurance race, garnering an even larger audience to the popular sport.
Starting January 30, 2016, the Dubai World Cup Carnival has already caught a lot of attention with the awaited arrival of the two famous competitive horses: Frosted and Mubtaahij. The pair will be competing in several races, but the most important of which will be the middle round event of the Al Maktoum Challenge series in which nine horses will battle it out for the prize of 250,000 dollars.
Trained in the USA by Kiaran McLaughlin, Frosted has spent most of his career in the highest of company. With a list of accomplishments including: winning last year’s Grade 1 Wood Memorial stakes, running two legs of the American Triple Crown, running nine times last year to register a second victory of the 2015 Pennsylvania Derby and finally finishing the year competing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was then announced to be making his way down to the Dubai World Cup, under the care of McLaughlin, and has been based at Charlie Appleby’s Al Marmoon Stables in Dubai.
An official at Al Marmoon Stables and caretaker of Dubai visiting horse champions, Ahmad Al Khatbi, states that “Frosted has managed to settle in pretty well, and although having not competed in a race for some time is still at peak condition and ready to start his competitive streak at Meydan.”Frosted will have to start competing and gain his place in the main race, making his way up as he wins race by race. Ahmad is not worried stating that “I have discussed with Mclaughlin and we both agree that Frosted should have no trouble competing in the Super Saturday race as well as the final round of the Maktoum Challenge.”
The other contender, Mubtaahij, who has made it in Group 3 Firebreak Stakes is being partnered with Mike De Kock. Mubtaahij has already made a name for himself, winning last year’s UAE Derby as well as ranking up in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Mubtaahij has just recently come back from a relaxation period in England as is ready to compete, being known for doing exceedingly well on the dirt racecourse of Meydan.
Although facing strong competition including the intimidating One Man Band, trained by Watson already having won three of his races this season, Mubtaahij has a challenge ahead. However, De Kock is not concerned announcing “he has been waiting for his return for a long time, training and working hard. I look forward to see him make his way through to the top of the Dubai World Cup this year.”
With all the competition, celebrity horses and tension this year, the Meydan Racecourse will be filled with fans waiting to see which of their beloved champions reigns supreme. Only time will tell as the races progress daily.
